What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Tribehenin
Emollient
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Emulsifying
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Water
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lecithin
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Candelilla Cera, Silica, Sorbitan Stearate, Tribehenin, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Water, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Ribes Nigrum
EmollientCucurbita Pepo
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingAcetylated Glyceryl Stearate/Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Rose Flower Oil
Masking
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Myrica Cerifera Fruit Wax
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Brassica Napus Seed Oil
Emollient
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Citronellol
Perfuming
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Daucus Carota Sativa Callus Lysate
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Ribes Nigrum, Cucurbita Pepo, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Acetylated Glyceryl Stearate/Palmitate, Sorbitan Stearate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Stearic Acid, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Silica, Rose Flower Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Myrica Cerifera Fruit Wax, Tocopherol, Limonene, Brassica Napus Seed Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Citronellol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Geraniol, Linalool, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Daucus Carota Sativa Callus Lysate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilThis ingredient is derived from caprylic and capric acids. It is an emulsifier with emollient properties.
According to the manufacturer, it is hydrophilic and soluble in aqueous solutions (water). They also state this ingredient is stable in a medium pH range (~5 - 8).
As an emulsifier, it helps make oils and oil-soluble ingredients more soluble in water.
Learn more about PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric GlyceridesThis ingredient is derived from almond oil. It is an emulsifier with emollient properties.
Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating. The fatty acid content of this ingredient gives it emollient properties. Emollients hydrate the skin by preventing water from evaporating.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
The 60 stands for 60 moles of ethylene oxide.
Learn more about PEG-60 Almond GlyceridesThis ingredient is also known as sweet almond oil. It is a lightweight, cold-pressed oil from the ripe seeds of the sweet almond tree.
Sweet almond oil is rich in skin-nourishing fatty acids such as oleic acid (55-86%) and linolenic acid (7-35%).
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates skin by forming a thin barrier that locks in moisture.
Clinical studies have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the available safety data and concluded it is safe for topical use.
Because of the oleic acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis OilSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSorbitan Stearate is an emulsifier made by reacting sorbitol with stearic acid.
It's mostly used to keep oil and water mixed so your formulas stay smooth and stable.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has found 4% of this ingredient in repeat-insult patch tests on humans to be non-sensitizing. There is a caveat that some reactions have shown up in patients with damaged or diseased skin.
Because it is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it falls into the C11-24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize. This means this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan StearateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
